Father Time Will Catch Up to Phil Mickelson On Sunday at PGA Championship

Phil Mickelson is the oldest 54-hole leader in PGA Championship history, but don’t expect that to hold up on Sunday at Kiawah Beach.

There have been four golfers older than Mickelson, aged 50, who have held the lead heading into the final round of a major championship, but all four faltered. While cheering for Phil on Sunday will be fun and a welcome surprise, history shows that he’ll stumble before the finish line.

One aspect of being an older golfer is that it’s a lot tougher to be able to compete at the highest level possible for four straight days. Mickelson’s final round scoring this season reflects that fact as well. Lefty ranks 204th on the PGA Tour in fourth round scoring this season with an average score of 72.75. He’ll have to defy the odds once again if he plans on winning his sixth major championship.

The oddsmakers seem to agree, as despite holding on to a one-stroke heading into Sunday, WynnBET has Brooks Koepka as the live betting favorite at +145. Mickelson is next on the odds list at +300 which means his implied probability of holding on to his lead today is 25%. His odds before the opening round were as high as 250/1.

Next on the live odds list is Louis Oosthuizen (+550), Bryson DeChambeau (+1500), Kevin Streelman (+1500), and Branden Grrace (+2250).

Mickelson, who many thought would have just been happy to play on the weekend, has truly turned back the clock this week. He looks as good as he ever has during a major championship, especially with his approach game. Through the first three rounds, Phil has gained +2.71 strokes on the field with his approach game, second only to Koepka at +2.97.

Phil, who is a U.S. Open win away from completing the career grand slam, would become the oldest winner in major championship history today if he does manage to maintain his lead. The man who currently holds the record is Julius Boros, who won the PGA Championship at 48 years old.

Today’s final round is shaping up to be one for the ages, but don’t expect Mickelson to dominate the course like did through the first three rounds.